If there is one event I look forward to each year, it’s Pride. We’ve reached a moment in time in Belgium where Pride becomes more of a party rather than a protest. While it is important to remember where we came from, just existing in a crowd of people within our community as well as allies, is healing.
Origins of Pride
Have you ever seen or heard the phrase “Pride was a riot”, or why we even celebrate pride month in June? That all has to do with the Stonewall riots. Back in 1969, it was not quite legal to be queer in New York City. This was the case for many other prominent cities too. Gay bars became a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ people who were looking for a place to be. However, these bars were frequently raided by the police, which often resulted in the arrest of many queer people.
Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village was one of those bars, where gays, bisexuals, lesbians and transgender people would gather. After being raided for the third time in a short period of time, the employees of the bar were arrested for allegedly not having a liquor license. In the same night, the police beat up and arrested several customers. Instead of scattering away like they were used to, the people standing outside the bar stayed and fought back. Hundreds rioted against the police, throwing bottles and debris.
It was the beginning of five days of riots. These were prompted by long time harassment and discrimination for LGBTQIA+ people. Although there were other actions taking place before, this time gays, bisexuals, lesbians and transgender people found common ground in the fight. A common misconception is that the Stonewall riots initiated the fight for queer rights, when they did not. However, they were the catalyst in the middle of the civil rights and feminist movement in the US.
Pride in the Year of 2024
There’s been a lot of progress in how the world perceives us. But, we still have a long way to go before we’re on the same step of equality as cisgender and straight people. We’ve covered some of the issues the world is currently dealing with in this article. If you’re interested in knowing more about the fight for queer rights, head over there.
What I’m going to talk about is the joy of seeing thousands of people in the center of Brussels. Colouring the streets with our flags, our outfits and make up. Pride is the one day where we can be ourselves and know we’re not alone.
As a lesbian, I have had my fair share of loneliness to deal with. Standing outside the patriarchal system as a woman who isn’t attracted to men is an experience that can be quite isolating — and I won’t pretend it’s easy everyday. But seeing fellow lesbians and discussing with people of different genders and sexualities, there is a solitude in everything we experience. It’s inevitable. The hope is that one day we’ll be socialised in an environment that doesn’t teach us that being ourselves is wrong. Until then, we have to support each other
The Meaning of Pride
“Pride” is more than just standing with your head raised and proclaiming who you are. It’s standing for your fellow LGBTQIA+ members who are not as far in the fight for equality as you are. It is knowing when someone can’t be open about their identity and being supportive anyways. It is being grateful for how far we’ve come, but not forgetting we need to keep up the fight for our future selves.
For me, an issue that is dear to my heart is recognising and respecting someone else’s labels. Even if you have a different definition of what it means to identify as such.
No Policing Someone’s Identity
The city of Brussels planned a Pride week before the parade itself, where I organised an event titled “The Perfect Queer”. Combining poetry and photography, the event’s aim was to bring awareness to how labels are supposed to help you feel more comfortable in your identity. Not lock you in a specific definition. Discourse within the community is common, which can be counter-productive at times. Discussions can be valuable when there’s respect, but debating how someone else lives their queer experience is not what pride as a value stands for.
Pride as Celebration
Nevertheless, this day is meant for celebration. It is the one day where I can walk around the city and bathe in the queer joy surrounding me. Seeing my flag warms my heart, sharing kind smiles with strangers, noticing the ease in same-sex couples kissing, there is a lot to find happiness in. There is beauty in the daylight.
I often spend Pride with a group of people that I don’t know that well. It’s a chance to connect with people within your community that otherwise you wouldn’t have gotten the chance to encounter. At the same time, it is the occasion to meet up with queer friends and allies. It is a reminder for grey days when there isn’t an ounce of colour around us. I find that looking towards the memory brings me hope in the present.
Safe Everyday Everywhere
Brussels Pride’ slogan this year was “Safe Everyday, Everywhere”. Although having one day where we’re in the streets without worrying of being discriminated against, what we need is safety all the time. That is what we’re fighting for. Unfortunately, after the events that unfolded with the European elections and their aftermath. Hatred is on the rise when it comes to minorities. That’s why it’s important to fight for our rights the rest of the year. Not just one day where we feel safe to celebrate.
If you want to go to Pride, here are some major Pride parades in Europe:
- June 22nd — Thessaloniki, Oslo
- June 29th — Dublin, Paris, London, Bristol
- July 21st — Leeds, Cologne
- July 27th — Berlin
- August 3rd — Amsterdam, Brighton
- August 10th — Antwerp, Frankfurt, Copenhagen
- August 24th — Manchester
Keep your eyes peeled, we’ve got more articles about Pride coming up! In the meantime, read about current LGBTQIA+ issues here:
Photography: @vontographie
Sources:
- Britannica, Stonewall riots, <https://www.britannica.com/event/Stonewall-riots>, accessed on June 19th 2024.
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